Joint pain is a specific unpleasant sensation that indicates a pathological process in the joint area itself or in the tissues surrounding it.According to statistics, about 55% of people over 45 go to the doctor with these complaints.And after the age of 70, this symptom occurs in 90% of patients.Why do unpleasant sensations arise?What to do if your joints hurt a lot?Which specialist should I contact for help?
Why can joints hurt?
Painful sensations in the joints are the result of irritation of the nerve endings extending from the joint capsule.Due to a fairly developed network of blood vessels and good innervation, the joint is able to respond to painful reactions to various irritating factors (including toxins, salt crystals).
The main causes of joint pain:
- mechanical damage (as a result of injury or surgery);
- soft tissue diseases (adhesive capsulitis, myalgia, tendinopathy);
- osteoarthritis;
- arthritis (post-traumatic, gouty, psoriatic);
- autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis);
- benign and malignant tumors;
- damage to nerve trunks.
Many people associate joint pain with changes in weather conditions.However, in 2016, scientists at Colling University in Australia published a paper that completely refuted this claim.More than three hundred volunteers participated in the study: each of them recorded pain for 3-4 months.It turned out that neither the occurrence of pain nor its intensity was associated with changes in atmospheric pressure or changes in temperature.
Which doctor should I contact for help?
When your joints hurt a lot, you need to seek help from a specialist as soon as possible.If the cause of discomfort is associated with an injury (bruise, dislocation or fracture of varying degrees), it is necessary to consult an orthopedic traumatologist.In other cases, it is necessary to seek help from a rheumatologist.To accurately identify the cause of pain and prescribe treatment, diagnostic procedures will be required:
- x-ray of the joint;
- ultrasound examination;
- Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography (only if indicated);
- joint puncture (if there is accumulation of fluid inside the joint);
- arthroscopy.
How to reduce joint pain?
To get rid of joint discomfort, you can use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They reduce the intensity of pain and relieve swelling.Anti-inflammatory ointments, creams and gels applied to the affected joint have the same effect.
In degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthrosis), chondroprotectors are indicated, which slow down the process of destruction of cartilaginous tissue.They are also available in the form of capsules, ointments and gels, tablets and intra-articular injections.
Regular therapeutic exercises also have a good effect.Correctly selected exercises can help you get rid of pain and stiffness, as well as restore joint mobility.Physiotherapeutic procedures can be used as additional methods of treatment: massage, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis with various medications.